entity

en·ti·ty

noun \ˈen-tə-tē, ˈe-nə-\

plural en·ti·ties

Definition of ENTITY

1

a : being, existence; especially : independent, separate, or self-contained existence b : the existence of a thing as contrasted with its attributes

2

: something that has separate and distinct existence and objective or conceptual reality

3

: an organization (as a business or governmental unit) that has an identity separate from those of its members

Examples of ENTITY

1. One division of the company was broken off as a separate entity.
2. <the question of whether extrasensory perception will ever be a scientifically recognized entity>

Origin of ENTITY

Medieval Latin entitas, from Latin ent-, ens existing thing, from coined present participle of esse to be — more at is

First Known Use: 1596

Related to ENTITY

Synonyms: being, commodity, existent, individual, individuality, integer, object, reality, something, substance, thing

Related Words: body, subject; material, matter, quantity, stuff

Near Antonyms: nonentity

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Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

Rhymes with ENTITY

lenity